Bariames receives probation in child-neglect case

MINDEN -- A Stateline man on Monday was given a five-year suspended sentence for neglecting his infant son, who was found malnourished in an apartment with his dead mother.

George Bariames, 31, received a five-year suspended sentence for the Class B felony of child neglect and abandonment of his son, Nicholas.

He is not charged with the death of his 35-year-old wife, Debbie. According to a December pathologist's report, she died of severe dehydration.

"The cause of death was not homicide," said Douglas County Deputy District Attorney Dina Salvucci, responding to a question by District Judge Michael Gibbons about Bariames' responsibility for her death. "In terms of it being something chargeable to Mr. Bariames, no."

Bariames was withdrawing from Percocet, prescribed for severe headaches, and became delusionary, according to his defense.

When authorities checked the apartment on Sept. 21, 2002, found Debbie Bariames dead and Nicholas malnourished.

Initially, Bariames had entered a not-guilty plea due to insanity, but changed the plea to guilty in May.

In his decision on Monday, Gibbons said that Bariames' behavior has been "exemplary" while staying with a relative in Las Vegas, where he has been held on house arrest since the end of February.

"(He's) taking responsibility," Gibbons said, explaining his decision for sentencing. "He gave up the insanity defense. Most people. if they have that as a valid defense, they push it as far as they can."

Gibbons will continue ruling on the custody case of Nicholas. Currently, Bariames visits his now 19-month-old son once a week.

Bariames' attorney, Derrick Lopez, said Monday that Bariames made a personal decision to withdraw from Percocet, to which he had become addicted.

"He was not going to multiple doctors. He was not going to pharmacies. He was taking the drug as needed," Lopez said.

Debbie Bariames' mother, Karen Freidhof, said her daughter and grandson suffered needlessly.

"She (Debbie) had food, drink and a telephone (in the apartment)," Debbie's mother said in court. "Isn't it odd she died of dehydration?"

"I think the justice system is more insane than George is," she said.

Child Protective Services has legal custody of Nicholas, who is in the care of Freidhof.

Bariames will be under house arrest until Sept. 21. He will pay child support and make restitution for Nicholas' health bills.